Ban on gathering: Govt fears facing Malacca voters, says Guan Eng

Ban on gathering: Govt fears facing Malacca voters, says Guan Eng

DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng has accused Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin of banning physical gatherings and social events related to the upcoming Malacca snap polls because the government fears facing the voters.

Lim (above) said his party condemns this ban, which also includes the launching of parties’ election machinery starting Oct 25 to Nov 27.

“The ruling parties in government may be fearful of facing the voters for causing the collapse of the Malacca state government and the failure in administration such as the Covid-19 pandemic and the economic recession.

“But the government should not allow such fears… to violate democracy and take over the role of the Election Commission (EC) to conduct the elections fairly, independently, freely and in an impartial manner.

“If Khairy is indeed worried about the risk of new Covid-19 infections, he would not be allowing elections instead,” Lim said while speaking at the launch of Malacca DAP’s election machinery in Malacca today.

The Bagan MP claimed that Khairy dares not do so because he knows it would be unlawful.

That is why the minister has resorted to such “unethical and partisan” tactics to benefit the government, he said.

'Making a mockery of democracy'

“Khairy is taking over the role of the EC and making a mockery of democracy and the entire election process.

“He might as well run the entire election process and not the EC,” Lim said, adding that the ban is reminiscent of Malaysia during the total lockdown.



He pointed out that Malaysia is now reopening many of its sectors, then questioned why there is a need to impose “total lockdown” in an election instead.

“Clearly this is a contradictory picture of one country, two systems. Why then allow an election to be held in the first place?” Lim asked.

He said DAP lawyers will be instructed to study whether such a ban and restrictions on candidates meeting voters is lawful or not.

Pakatan Harapan leaders will also be meeting to discuss these “unfair and undemocratic” restrictions that Lim said are intended to “handicap” the opposition and facilitate an early advantage for the government.

Earlier today, Khairy had announced that all physical gatherings and social events related to the Malacca election will be banned from Oct 25 to Nov 27.

He said this ban included functions to launch election machinery of the various parties, citing a need to reduce the risk of new Covid-19 infections.

The Malacca snap polls are fixed for Nov 20, with Nov 8 being the nomination day.

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kt notes: Sometimes I wonder whether Tokong argues just for the sake of being seen as politically arguing?